Courses

We offer both academic and vocational courses, with a wide variety of subjects from which to choose. Making your choice is not always straightforward – so we have put together the guidelines below to help you select the best combination of subjects for you.

It is advisable to choose:

Subjects that you enjoy studying – but check the content of the course carefully as it can be different to GCSE

Subjects that you are good at – to do well at Advanced Level it’s best to study subjects in which you achieved your strongest results at school

Subjects for which you meet the entry requirements – in some cases you will need a 4/5 or 6 grade in a subject at GCSE in order to study it at A Level

Courses that are assessed in a way that suits you – consider which you prefer: revising topics and taking exams, or working throughout a course with assignments?

Subjects that support your career choice or future study – some degrees and careers require you to study particular subjects at College – for more information check on nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk

When you have chosen your subjects:

It is also important to consider how well your overall programme fits together. It is best to choose a range of subjects that support and complement each other. For example, it is usually advisable to study a science subject with another science subject or Maths. If you are in doubt about your courses, please talk with your school careers adviser, or contact the Careers Helpline for Young People on 0800 100 900.

Once we have received your Application Form, we will arrange for you to have an individual interview for admission to the College, and again when enrolling after receiving your GCSE results.We will discuss your programme carefully with you to make sure you are studying the most appropriate subjects for you.

A Levels

We offer the widest choice of A Levels in the local area and the majority of students study an A Level programme. A Levels are traditional academic subjects and are largely assessed by exams. Students can choose to study four A Levels or can combine A Levels with vocational courses.

Vocational subjects

Alongside A Levels, we also offer a number of vocational courses, which can be taken on their own or combined with A Levels. Vocational courses are mostly coursework assessed and give you the opportunity to develop practical skills. An Extended Diploma is the equivalent of 3 A Levels, a Diploma 2 A Levels and the Sub Diploma is 1 A Level.

Xtras

Xtras is an extensive programme of opportunities and activities designed to enrich the time you spend at college. The years you spend at OSFC are not just about studying and sitting exams, they are also about developing new interests, learning new skills, having new experiences and developing yourself personally, as well as academically.

Oldham Sixth Form College

Union Street WestOldhamOL8 1XU(For sat nav please enter OL8 1EU as the college postcode will send you to an incorrect location)